If you are new to NetSuite terminology or are starting to figure out how to improve your solution, it is a good idea to begin to understand the types of things certain roles do for your organization. There are two primary roles of support for an Oracle NetSuite ERP solution. One is a NetSuite developer and the other is a NetSuite consultant. Both play unique roles in optimizing your NetSuite performance and efficiency. There are a few other key roles including SuiteCommerce developers, but this article will primary focus on consultants and developers.
If you are not working with a NetSuite partner and still using NetSuite services, I would highly recommend trying one out. They are typically cheaper, more responsive, and have more flexibility to get projects completed using solutions that are specific to your organization.
What Is A NetSuite Developer?
When working in your NetSuite environment, you will want to take a look at customization since it can allow the software to form around your business rather than the other way around. NetSuite developers write SuiteScript to help automate processes that workflows can’t accomplish.
Functional NetSuite consultants can help build out other configuration pieces or workflows for you so that you only need to worry about your role entering specific data.
What Does A NetSuite Consultant Do?
A NetSuite consultant is classified as someone who knows more about business processes and how to configure all the NetSuite modules to make it work properly. The NetSuite consultant typically stays focused on helping clients identify ways to solve their pain points using native NetSuite processes. They might also work directly with a NetSuite developer to implement custom solutions that can’t be done using the user interface.
What Is A NetSuite Developer?
When working in your NetSuite environment, you will want to take a look at customization since it can allow the software to form around your business rather than the other way around. NetSuite developers write SuiteScript to help automate processes that workflows can’t accomplish.
Functional NetSuite consultants can help build out other configuration pieces or workflows for you so that you only need to worry about your role entering specific data.
What Does A NetSuite Consultant Do?
A NetSuite consultant is classified as someone who knows more about business processes and how to configure all the NetSuite modules to make it work properly. The NetSuite consultant typically stays focused on helping clients identify ways to solve their pain points using native NetSuite processes. They might also work directly with a NetSuite developer to implement custom solutions that can’t be done using the user interface.
These consultants are often called functional consultants. If they also know some scripting as well, they might be called a NetSuite techno functional consultant. Techno Functional Consultants that have a good understanding of solution designing and business process often become a NetSuite architect. These solution architects understand the ins and outs of NetSuite to be able to take any business problem and build a unique solution that solves it.
Where To Find NetSuite Apps Or Pre Built Features?
There are some new initiatives by SuiteMarkets which is a 3rd party app platform that allows you to purchase SuiteCommerce and NetSuite ERP apps / features. It’s a great way to find existing solutions for NetSuite ERP or SuiteCommerce. It’s something to keep in mind as the platform continues to grow and more features get listed. Since it is free to list solutions, there are more smaller applications being listed such as order tracking, blogs, custom themes, customer center add-ons, in addition to software companies.
There is also NetSuite’s app platform which is primarily used to inform NetSuite customers of software that integrates into the platform. Shopify has something similar including applications that help them integrate into the NetSuite platform. More and more customers are utilizing NetSuite as an ecommerce platform in additional to its reporting, warehouse management, HR, and other ERP features. This expands beyond your traditional ecommerce website and includes integrations to popular ecommerce solutions including Amazon, eBay, and Overstock.
Tips About NetSuite Ecommerce?
If you have NetSuite or are planning to get NetSuite as your ERP, stay up to date with the latest SuiteCommerce features to see how it best fits into your business modal. If you want to get SuiteCommerce Standard to save more on your monthly licensing, then make sure to chat with a SuiteCommerce developer to help identify any areas that you may need SuiteCommerce Advanced in the future. Spending a little time and money identifying where SuiteCommerce Standard may be the better fit will help you cut costs and position yourself for the seamless upgrade to SuiteCommerce Advanced when you are ready.
If you are not quite convinced, check out this ecommerce comparison by Ecommerce Reviews, it compares both Shopify Plus and SuiteCommerce Advanced.
Ideally, you will be implementing SuiteCommerce at the same time as NetSuite ERP. However, certain elements of NetSuite ERP is required to be set up prior to starting the implementation for SuiteCommerce. You will need some basics like your item data in place. These items should have all the data you plan to have on the ecommerce website including any images, pricing, descriptions, and characteristics to filter by such as your item color. There are some companies like Business Health Options that are planning to implement NetSuite ERP first followed by SuiteCommerce six months later. This is because it is a startup that is still working out internal business processes and isn’t quite ready for any ecommerce solution for a period of time.
Having all your data managed in one place makes everyone's lives easier which is one reason why companies frequently choose SCA over other platforms since all the images, marketing data, files, and supporting data already lives in NetSuite.
Caleb Schmitz is a NetSuite developer and SuiteCommerce Specialist at Anchor Group. Anchor Group is a NetSuite implementation partner that focuses specifically on NetSuite training and NetSuite’s SuiteCommerce. Caleb started his ERP career in SAP and transitioned into Oracle NetSuite solutions after a couple years. He received his bachelors in Mechanical engineering, worked as a production supervisor, finished his MBA in management, implemented SAP to 3 business branches, and finally moved into NetSuite development.
Where To Find NetSuite Apps Or Pre Built Features?
There are some new initiatives by SuiteMarkets which is a 3rd party app platform that allows you to purchase SuiteCommerce and NetSuite ERP apps / features. It’s a great way to find existing solutions for NetSuite ERP or SuiteCommerce. It’s something to keep in mind as the platform continues to grow and more features get listed. Since it is free to list solutions, there are more smaller applications being listed such as order tracking, blogs, custom themes, customer center add-ons, in addition to software companies.
There is also NetSuite’s app platform which is primarily used to inform NetSuite customers of software that integrates into the platform. Shopify has something similar including applications that help them integrate into the NetSuite platform. More and more customers are utilizing NetSuite as an ecommerce platform in additional to its reporting, warehouse management, HR, and other ERP features. This expands beyond your traditional ecommerce website and includes integrations to popular ecommerce solutions including Amazon, eBay, and Overstock.
Tips About NetSuite Ecommerce?
If you have NetSuite or are planning to get NetSuite as your ERP, stay up to date with the latest SuiteCommerce features to see how it best fits into your business modal. If you want to get SuiteCommerce Standard to save more on your monthly licensing, then make sure to chat with a SuiteCommerce developer to help identify any areas that you may need SuiteCommerce Advanced in the future. Spending a little time and money identifying where SuiteCommerce Standard may be the better fit will help you cut costs and position yourself for the seamless upgrade to SuiteCommerce Advanced when you are ready.
If you are not quite convinced, check out this ecommerce comparison by Ecommerce Reviews, it compares both Shopify Plus and SuiteCommerce Advanced.
Ideally, you will be implementing SuiteCommerce at the same time as NetSuite ERP. However, certain elements of NetSuite ERP is required to be set up prior to starting the implementation for SuiteCommerce. You will need some basics like your item data in place. These items should have all the data you plan to have on the ecommerce website including any images, pricing, descriptions, and characteristics to filter by such as your item color. There are some companies like Business Health Options that are planning to implement NetSuite ERP first followed by SuiteCommerce six months later. This is because it is a startup that is still working out internal business processes and isn’t quite ready for any ecommerce solution for a period of time.
Having all your data managed in one place makes everyone's lives easier which is one reason why companies frequently choose SCA over other platforms since all the images, marketing data, files, and supporting data already lives in NetSuite.
Caleb Schmitz is a NetSuite developer and SuiteCommerce Specialist at Anchor Group. Anchor Group is a NetSuite implementation partner that focuses specifically on NetSuite training and NetSuite’s SuiteCommerce. Caleb started his ERP career in SAP and transitioned into Oracle NetSuite solutions after a couple years. He received his bachelors in Mechanical engineering, worked as a production supervisor, finished his MBA in management, implemented SAP to 3 business branches, and finally moved into NetSuite development.
